Don't Forget To Move!
Being physically active can help you stay strong and independent. For older adults, regular physical activity can support a variety of health benefits. These can include brain function, balance, bone strength, and warding off certain diseases.
Remember:
- Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
- Break the time into portions that make sense for you – 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there.
- Moderate activity includes things that can get your heart beating faster – walking, group exercise, cleaning, etc.
- Do things that make your muscles work harder than usual (strength training) at least 2 times per week.
If you are unsure where to start, or what is best for you, contact the therapy team at 616-608-8246!
One great place to get started is through trying the Otago Exercise Program, specifically designed for our residents through our rehabilitation team. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is a muscle strengthening and balance retraining program that has been proven to reduce the risk of falling. The New Zealand Falls Prevention Research Group developed and has extensively tested the program. The rationale behind OEP is that while muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and reaction time are risk factors for falls, they can easily be modified. OEP has been validated and proven effective when delivered in multiple settings including residential. Beacon Hill residents can participate in OEP. This program is offered onsite by our therapy team in the Wellness Studio twice a week in individualized, small group classes.
Contact us for availability and pricing!
What are the benefits?
The benefits of exercise are plentiful—by maintaining your program, you can improve Balance, Strength, General Fitness, and Overall Well-being.
What are the outcomes?
- Reduces risk of mortality
- 35% reduction in falls in high-risk, older adults
- Improvements in functional performance measures
- Improvements in perceived abilities
